Page 35 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“Nonsense. It’s great advertising for the shop.”

The smell of cardamom and orange peels wafted through the air—a staple of the Yule season.

“Pinky, this is Amolie of the Ravenwood Coven.”I pointed to Amolie who beamed back at Pinky with her gummy smile.

Pinky placed her hands on her hips. “Ooh, a Raven girl. We don’t get many of you around here.”

“We’re a small coven, but it’s not the size that counts, as they say,” Amolie replied, grabbing some dragon’s breath from the herb section.

“The Ravenwood are skilled in the art of potions, I hear.”

Amolie nodded, turning over an eye of newt in her hand.

“Well, what can I do for you girls for today?”Pinky returned to binding herbs.

“I need the usual,” I said, handing her my list. My usual included one jar of healing ointment, one contraceptive tonic, and one dye tonic for my hair. A natural brunette, I now kept it jet black as part of my cover.

Pinky nodded and went to fetch my things.

While she arranged my order, I glanced over at her wide assortment of tinctures, everything from love potions to a death kiss. One in particular caught my eye—a glowing vial containing a bright yellow liquid.

“Pinky, what’s this one do?” I said, holding up the vial.

Pinky’s eyes brightened. “It’s new. They call it The Last Wish. Deadly and undetectable once it’s in a liquid. Elvish made.”

“I’ll take one,” I said, setting the vial next to the other items on the counter. “And anything Amolie wants as well.”

Amolie piled herbs high on the counter. “You never know what we’ll need.” She gave me an innocent look, shrugging.

“What kind of adventure are you off to now?” Pinky asked.

“We’re headed to a party,” I replied, not wanting to give too much away, never knowing where Gideon’s spies lurked.

“I’m not sure I want to go to whatever party needs this kind of supplies,” she said, surveying our purchases.

Gold coins clinked on the counter. “See you later, Pinky. Always a pleasure.”

“Be safe out there,” she called after us.

13CAIDEN

“Areyou going to tell us what happened last night, or are we going to force it out of you?” Roderick put Caiden in a headlock before he could react.

“Fine, fine, I’ll tell you.” Roderick released him from his iron grip, and Caiden stumbled backward, almost knocking a vase over.

From the doorway, Ernie frowned at the men. “You are not children anymore, master. Please be careful.”

“Sorry, Ernie,” Roderick said, his green eyes falling to the floor.

Huffing in annoyance, Ernie left the room.

As soon as the hob disappeared around the corner, Roderick’s face brightened once more. “Anyway… Did something happen between you and Aelia last night?”

Caiden ran his hands along the edge of the velvet couch, contemplating whether he should divulge his secret. “She kissed me, and I did not turn away,” he said sheepishly.

“Don’t get attached,” Lucius said while studying a map of the Court of Sorrows.

Roderick waved Lucius off, flopping onto one of the plushcouches. “I know what you’re thinking, Caiden. You shouldn’t feel guilty. You two were madly in love once. It makes sense the flame reignited once you were together again.”

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